Nectarine tree named &#39;Cakedelice&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of white flat nectarine tree, denominated ‘CAKEDELICE’, has flat fruits of very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, and with a semi-sweet white flesh of high eating quality, with a slightly red pigmentation into and around the stone cavity, and an attractive luminous and homogenous purple red skin on a red background.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No. 2012/0745 filed on Apr. 2, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘CAKEDELICE’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of white flat nectarine tree, Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, which has been given the variety denomination ‘CAKEDELICE’. This new tree produces fruit with a long shelf life without alteration both on the tree after growth completion and after harvesting, very good eating quality, semi-clingstone white flesh fruits for fresh market early in August in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. Contrast is made to its parents ‘ASFNBF0688’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,492) white flat nectarine variety and ‘NECTARMAGIE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,579) white nectarine tree for reliable description. ‘CAKEDELICE’ is a promising candidate for commercial success in that it has very attractive fruits with very long shelf life without alteration before after harvesting.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The ‘CAKEDELICE’ white flat nectarine tree originated in a cultivated area of the south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, where it was tested.

This place is under a Mediterranean climate (a temperate area), on the Mediterranean coastline. Winters are gentle and summers warm and dry. The amount of days with temperatures below 7° Celsius can vary between 600 and 1200 hours per year. The place is sunny, with 2400 to 2800 hours of sunny days per year on average. The prevailing wind is called ‘Tramontane’: it dries the air, clears the sky from clouds, but its intensity can be strong and affect the harvest, fruit quantity and/or quality. Marine moisture does not affect the place. Precipitations are irregular through the year and from one year to another. The amount of rainy days does not exceed 80 days per year, and are mostly found in Spring and Autumn. In May and October, very intense precipitations occasionally happen. Summer is dry with a few thunderstorms.

The ‘CAKEDELICE’ variety resulted from a pollinated cross between the ‘NECTARMAGIE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,579) white nectarine tree, which was used as the seed parent, and the ‘ASFNBF0688’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,492) white flat nectarine tree, which was used as the pollen parent.

‘CAKEDELICE’ was provisionally designated, tested and genetically identified by a genetic profile, under number 03.5E.125NBPL and was registered at the Official Catalogue of the Agriculture Ministry of the French Republic on Nov. 27, 2011 under number 4049391. The ‘CAKEDELICE’ variety was obtained by hybridizing and propagated by grafting on an ‘INRA® GF677’ (non-patented) rootstock trees. It has been determined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of the standard rootstock trees set forth above on the scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plant was reproduced asexually by us in Les Régalines, Route d'Alenya, La Prade de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE, Pyrénées-Orientales, France. More particularly, the plant was reproduced by grafting.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of white flat nectarine tree blooms at the end of February or in March in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. More particularly, it blooms between February 28 and March 17, generally 3 days earlier than ASFNBF0688’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,492). However, it was observed that its early date of blooming seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

The first fruit of ‘CAKEDELICE’ nectarine tree ripens at the end of July or early in August, generally about one month earlier than ‘ASFNBF0688’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,492). More particularly, ‘CAKEDELICE’ variety approximately ripens between July 22 and August 4. However, it was observed that its early date of maturity seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph, which shows a view of a tree of the new variety in orchard, bearing fruits.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph, which shows typical specimens of the fruits of the new variety, one of the fruits being cut in half with the stone left in one of the halves for depicting the fruit flesh, the stone and the stone cavity of the new variety.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph with reverse and side views of flowers of the new variety, and, with petals removed, reproductive organs of the new variety.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph, which shows a close view of typical fruits of the new variety ‘CAKEDELICE’ at ripening time.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves and fruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variations in soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potential for commercial production of fresh fruit by ‘CAKEDELICE’ is high, due to fruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are medium vigorous and large stature half-standing in a semi-flared to semi-upright out aspect. The anthocyanic coloration of flowering shoot is present excluding brushwood side away from sun. The time of beginning of flowering is considered medium; flowering begins at the end of February or during March. The type of flower is showy with medium to large petal size. Petals are medium pink. Leaf glands are present and reniform. The fruit flesh is considered white with a slightly red pigmentation into and around the stone cavity. The fruit skin is thick and colored with a homogenous and luminous purple red blush on a red background. The stone is semi-clingstone, small in size and the flesh is adherent to semi-adherent depending on the fruit maturity. Fruit taste is semi-sweet, very aromatic and with a high level of sugars.

The new variety male parent, which is ‘ASFNBF0688’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,492) produces a considerable amount of white flat nectarine tree at the end of August or early in September. In comparison, ‘CAKEDELICE’ variety ripens approximately one month earlier, at the end of July or early in August as set forth above. Moreover, both varieties produce an important amount of showy flowers and have a very high rate of fruit set. However, ‘CAKEDELICE’ fruits are superior to ‘ASFNBF0688’ fruits. They have a good and homogenous presentation, round and regular shaped, with a closed pistil cavity, and without any cork formation. In comparison, ‘ASFNBF0688’ fruits possess a pistil cavity barely closes, with a little amount of cork, that could lead to a susceptibility to rot. ‘CAKEDELICE’ fruits are colored with a luminous red on the whole fruit skin compared to ‘ASFNBF0688’ fruit which are colored in red on a pink cream background.

The new variety female parent, which is ‘NECTARMAGIE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,579), produces white nectarines early in July.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of white flat nectarine tree, the following was observed on trees in their fourth growing season (third year of production) under the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. All observations have been done on rootstock cultivars. Used rootstocks were ‘INRA® GF677’ (non-patented) trees. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. Color Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

-   Tree:     -   -   Size.—Generally. — Considered large. The tree size the first             year was approximately 250 cm. The tree was pruned during             each following dormant season to a height of approximately             250 cm. Current season shoots growth could reach 60 to             80 cm. The tree size from the second year (second and next             years) reached a final height of 310 to 330 cm with current             season shoots length comprised. The tree size is             consistently reduces to 250 cm the next years.         -   Spread.—Approximately 100 cm with a cylindrical shape. The             whole orchard was oriented to a central leader organization,             with tree lines spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0             meter in a same tree line. As a result, tree spread was             about 100 cm and the orchard contained 2500 trees by             hectare.         -   Vigor.—Considered medium vigorous.         -   Productivity.—Very Productive. Fruit set is spaced by             thinning to develop the remaining fruit into the desired             market sized fruit. The number of the fruit set varies with             the prevailing climatic conditions and cultural practices             employed during the bloom period, and is therefore not             distinctive of the present variety. A reduce vegetation,             obtained with pruning or green pruning, approximately 1             month or 1 month ½ before harvesting flat fruits,             significantly promotes fruit qualities, especially growth,             color and firmness. Moreover, contamination risks due to             monilia or rot are significantly reduced. ‘CAKEDELICE’             variety is not much sensitive to cracking of pistil cavity,             to cork formation into peduncle cavity or to monilia.         -   Bearer.—Very regular. Thinning of 1 fruit out of 3 was             necessary for the tree valorisation. Thinning was necessary             every year during the years of observation.         -   Form.—The ‘CAKEDELICE’ variety has a naturally semi-spread             to semi-upright shape.         -   Density.—Considered dense.         -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in             France. The variety appears to be hardy under the central             Pyrénées-Orientales departement typical climatic conditions.             Experimentations on different sites with winter chilling             requirement comprised between 350 hours and 1200 hours             showed a good behaviour of the tree in all cases.             Traditionally, flat fruits are more sensitive to critical             low temperatures and to climatic variations, because of the             flower morphology in which the ovule is less protected than             in the classical round fruits. Thus, areas not much exposed             to frost are recommended for peach trees growth. However             ‘CAKEDELICE’ trees seem to be very resistant to critical             frosty weather. -   Trunk:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately between 80 and 85 millimeters in             diameter when measured at a distance of approximately 30 cm             above the soil level.         -   Bark texture.—Considered slightly rough, with lenticels.         -   Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present, generally between             2 and 3 lenticels per cm². The lenticels range in size from             approximately 5.0 millimeters to 8.0 millimeters in width,             and from 1.5 to 2.5 millimeters in height.         -   Lenticel color.—The outside of lenticels has a silver-grey             color (RHS Grey 201 D), whereas the inside is considered             brown (RHS Greyed Orange 164 A to RHS Greyed Orange 165 B).         -   Bark coloration.—The bark has a silver-grey color (RHS Brown             200 C or RHS Grey 201 C), slightly deeper than lenticel             color. -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Mature branches and current season shoots are             considered medium for the variety.         -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other nectarine varieties.             The current season shoots have a diameter from 4.0 to 7.0             millimeters, and mature branches have a diameter from 32.0             to 42.0 millimeters.         -   Surface texture.—Average, wood which is several years old             has no furrowed appearance.         -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, but             the crotch angles are generally between 60 degrees and 80             degrees from the horizontal axis. This particular             characteristic is not considered distinctive of the variety,             however.         -   Current season shoots.—         -   Internode length.—Generally 25.0 to 35.0 millimeters.         -   Color of mature branches.—Considered grey brown (RHS Grey             Brown 199 A or RHS Grey Brown N 199 A).         -   Current seasons shoots.—Color. — The color of new shoot tips             is considered a pale green (RHS Green 144 A to B) on lower             part of new shoot tips, whereas the upper part is colored             with a more or less deep brown purple (RHS Greyed Red 183             A), depending both on the position on shoots and the             sunlight exposure. -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium for the species. The ratio leaf             length/leaf width is 3.58.         -   Leaf length.—Approximately 132.0 to 172.0 millimeters with             leaf petiole. The medium length is 154.0 millimeters.         -   Leaf width.—Approximately 35.0 to 49.0 millimeters. The             medium width is 43.0 millimeters.         -   Leaf base shape.—Concave.         -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.         -   Leaf tip form.—Short, pointed and acuminate.         -   Leaf color.—Upper leaf surface. — Dark Green (RHS Green 139             A or RHS Yellow Green 147 A). Lower surface. — A lighter             green (RHS Green 137 B to C) than the upper leaf surface             color.         -   Leaf texture.—Smooth and glabrous.         -   Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined.         -   Mid-vein.—Color. — Light green, almost cream white (RHS             Yellow Green 145 D).         -   Leaf margins.—Slightly undulating.         -   Form.—Considered slightly dentate.         -   Uniformity.—Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In             this last case, one leaf of normal size is found with one or             two smaller leaves (at least 50% smaller).         -   Leaf petioles.—Size. — Considered medium. Length. — Between             10.0 and 15.0 millimeters. Diameter. — Between 2.0 to 2.5             millimeters.         -   Petioles color.—Upper petiole surface. — Light green, almost             yellow (RHS Yellow Green 144 A). Lower surface. — Light             green, almost yellow (RHS Yellow Green 144 C to D or RHS             Yellow Green 145 B).         -   Leaf glands.—Size. — Considered medium to large. Their             length is about 2.0 millimeters and their width is about 1.0             millimeter. Number. — Generally 2 glands per leaf. Type. —             Reniform. Margins. — Smooth and regular. Color. — On young             leaves, leaf glands color is considered a light green (RHS             Yellow Green 145 B). On older leaves, leaf glands color             turns to a dark brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A to 199 B).         -   Leaf stipules.—Generally. — No leaf stipules were observed.             But as seen in the characteristic relative to the leaves             uniformity, it is possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or             3, with a normal-size leaf and smaller ones. -   Flowers:     -   -   Flower buds.—Generally. — At pre-floral stage of             development, the floral buds are conic in form with a round             tip. Their form is evolving until blooming, with variables             dimensions. Just before blooming, floral buds are             approximately 12.0 millimeters wide and approximately 20.0             millimeters long. Color. — This characteristic is dependent             upon the proximity to bloom. At pre-floral stage of             development, the bottom of the flowers buds, formed by the             sepals, is of purple-brown color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A to             C). The corolla, formed by the petals, is generally of pink             color (RHS Red Purple 65 C) or deep pink color (RHS Red             Purple 73 B to C). Petals color shows an evolution until the             end of blooming.         -   Hardiness.—The buds are considered hardy under typical             central Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions.             No winter injury was noted during the last several years of             evaluation in the central Pyrénées-Orientales departement,             with winter temperatures as low as −10 degrees Celsius in             January. The current variety has not been intentionally             subjected to drought or heat stress, but the variety showed             a very good resistance in orchard to temperatures up to 42             degrees Celsius with an average temperature between 28 and             30 degrees Celsius during 3 weeks in summer.         -   Date of bloom.—Generally at the end of February or during             March. The first bloom was observed on Mar. 5, 2009.         -   Blooming time.—Considered medium-season in relative             comparison to other commercial nectarine cultivars grown in             the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. The date of             full bloom is observed on March 10 at the middle of the             blooming period. The date of bloom varies slightly with             climatic conditions and cultural practices. Thus the first             full bloom was observed from Mar. 5 until Mar. 14, 2009.             Last observed blooming times were from Mar. 17 until Mar.             24, 2010, then from Feb. 28 to Mar. 8, 2011, and from Mar. 1             until Mar. 19, 2012.         -   Duration of bloom.—Between 8 and 10 days. This             characteristic varies slightly with the prevailing climatic             conditions.         -   Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a showy type             flower.         -   Flower size.—Considered medium to large. Flower diameter at             full bloom is approximately 30.0 to 35.0 millimeters.         -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant, approximately 40             flowers per meter, with a good distribution and a high rate             of fruit set.         -   Flower bud frequency.—Generally 2 flower buds appear per             node, occasionally 1.         -   Petal size.—Generally. — Considered medium to large for the             species.         -   Length.—Generally about 20.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Generally about 19.0 millimeters.         -   Petal form.—Round-shaped.         -   Petal count.—Generally 5.         -   Petal texture.—Smooth, soft and glabrous.         -   Petal color.—Both surfaces of the petal are colored with a             medium Pink (RHS Red Purple 65 A to C) and becoming slightly             darker until the end of flowering.         -   Fragrance.—Sweet.         -   Petal claw.—Form. — The claw is considered to have a conic             form with a slightly rounded tip. Length. — Approximately             5.5 millimeters. Width. — Approximately 4.0 millimeters.         -   Petal margins.—Slightly undulating, sometimes wrinkled.         -   Petal apex.—Generally. — The petal apices are generally wide             dome-shaped.         -   Flower pedicel.—Length. — Considered medium to long and             having an average length of approximately 4.0 millimeters.             Diameter. — Considered average, approximately 2.0             millimeters. Color. — A light brown (RHS Grey Brown N199 C             to D).         -   Calyx.—Internal surface texture. — Smooth and glabrous.             Color. — The inner surface of the calyx is green yellow (RHS             Yellow Group 13 A to B or RHS Yellow Green 150 A to B). The             outer surface of the calyx is considered of Purple-brown             (RHS Greyed Purple 183 B to D) color.         -   Sepals.—Number. — Generally five sepals. Surface texture. —             The outer surface has a short, fine pubescent texture. Size.             — Medium. Length. — Approximately 5.0 to 6.0 millimeters.             Width. — Approximately 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters. Form. —             Ovate. Color. — Both sides of sepals are colored with a             purple Brown (RHS Greyed Purple 183 B to D).         -   Average number of stamens per flower.—Approximately 50             stamens per flower.         -   Anthers.—Generally. — Medium in length. Color. —             Orange-yellow color (RHS Yellow Orange 16 A to B). The color             becomes red to orange red (RHS Greyed Purple Group 178 A)             after maturity.         -   Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow             color (RHS Yellow Orange 17 B to C) which may evolve with             maturity. The present variety is considered auto-fertile             (self-pollinating).         -   Filaments.—Size. — Medium length, between 8.0 and 16.0             millimeters in length. Filaments length is generally equal             to the pistil's length, if not slightly longer.         -   Color.—Considered light pink (approximately RHS Red Purple             62 C to D or RHS Red Purple 73 A to B). The color evolves             during the blooming.         -   Pistil.—Number. — Usually 1. Generally. — Average in size.             Length. — Approximately 14.0 to 16.0 millimeters including             the ovary; Generally equal to stamen's length, if not             slightly smaller. Color. — Considered a very pale green (RHS             Yellow Green 150 D or RHS Yellow Green 151 D). The color             evolves during the blooming. Surface texture. — Glabrous. -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity when described.—Very firm ripe condition (shipping             ripe).         -   Date of first picking.—Jul. 22, 2009.         -   Date of last picking.—The date of harvest varies slightly             with the prevailing climatic conditions. The ‘CAKEDELICE             variety has a grouped maturity. The maturity is grouped             within 6 to 9 days and the harvest is generally performed in             two runs. Last known picking times were from Jul. 22 to Jul.             31, 2009 then from Aug. 4 to Aug. 11, 2010, then from Jul.             25 to Jul. 31, 2011 and from Jul. 30 to Aug. 7, 2012.         -   Size.—Generally. — Considered medium to large and             homogeneous in size.         -   Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 70.0 to 80.0             millimeters.         -   Average axial diameter.—Approximately 46.0 to 50.0             millimeters.         -   Typical weight.—Generally between 145.0 and 180.0 grams.             This characteristic is high dependent upon the prevailing             cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly             distinctive of the variety.         -   Fruit form.—Generally. — Curved and flattened, with few             bump. The fruit is generally uniform in symmetry, viewed             from the suture's plane.         -   Fruit suture.—Slightly flared and slightly marked, extending             from the base to the apex. No apparent callousing or             stitching exists along the suture line. Not pointed.         -   Suture.—Color. — The suture has generally a color similar to             the whole fruit color. The suture is completely colored with             a luminous purple red (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A or RHS Greyed             Purple N 186 C).         -   Ventral surface.—Form. — Smooth or very slightly humpy.         -   Apex.—Depressed. Very good closing of pistil cavity.         -   Base.—Semi-flared, shallow.         -   Stem cavity.—Average depth of the stem cavity is about 7.0             to 9.0 millimeters. Average width is about 15.0 millimeters.         -   Fruit skin.—Thickness. — Considered thick and strong, and             the adherence of skin to flesh is strong to medium,             depending on the maturity stage. Taste. — Semi-sweet, with a             high level of sugars. Tendency to crack. — Generally none             observed.         -   Color.—Blush color. — This blush color is a luminous and             homogenous purple red (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A or RHS Greyed             Purple N 186 C). The purple red blush covers 90 to 95% of             the fruit skin surface on a red background (RHS Red 53 B).             The percentage of the blush on the fruit skin surface can             vary, and is generally dependant upon the prevailing             conditions under which the fruit was grown. Ground color —             The ground color of the fruit skin surface covers             approximately 5% of the fruit skin surface and is considered             red (RHS Red 53 B).         -   Fruit stem.—Medium in length, approximately 5.0 to 7.0             millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 4.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—Pale green (RHS Yellow Green N 145 A to B).         -   Flesh.—Ripens. — The maturing of the flesh is very             homogenous and slow. The flesh has a long shelf life.             Texture. — Very firm, dense, crunchy, melting, juicy at             harvest maturity stage. Fibers. — Not fibrous. Aroma. —             Pronounced. Eating quality. — Considered very good and             aromatic. Flavor. — Considered semi-sweet and aromatic. The             Brix is generally superior to 13 and acidity comprised             between 6 and 9 meq/100m1. Juice. — Very juicy at complete             maturity. Brix. — Generally about 15.0 degrees, more             particularly between 13.0 and 17.0 degrees. This             characteristic varies slightly with the number of fruits per             tree, prevailing cultural practices and the surrounding             climatic conditions. The Brix can reach much more important             values in production areas very sunny and warm, for example             in Spain. Flesh color. — Greenish white or white flesh (RHS             Green White 157 D or RHS White 155 C) with a slightly red             pigmentation (RHS Red 53 A) both into the stone cavity and             around the stone where the pigmentation is star-shaped on             2.0 to 3.0 millimeters. -   Stone:     -   -   Type.—Semi-Clingstone to semi-adherent depending on the             fruit maturity.         -   Size.—Considered small for the variety. The stone size             varies significantly depending upon the tree vigor, crop             load and prevailing growing conditions.         -   Length.—Approximately 22.0 to 25.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 21.0 to 23.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 14.0 to 16.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Oblate.         -   Base.—Straight.         -   Apex.—Shape. — The stone apex is oblate.         -   Stone cavity.—Considered small in size, with shape and             dimensions corresponding to the stone's dimensions.         -   Stone surface.—Surface texture. — The pit is transversely             furrowed on its entire surface. Furrows are deeper and more             oblate on lateral sides. Ridges. — The surface texture is             generally characterized by more prominent ridges along the             ventral edges and at the apical tip.         -   Ventral edge.—Width. — Considered small to medium, and             having a dimension of approximately 3.0 millimeters at             mid-suture.         -   Dorsal edge.—Shape. — Grooved.         -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is generally             considered orange brown (RHS Greyed Orange N 170 B or RHS             Greyed Orange 174 B to C).         -   Tendency to split.—Splitting is absent or very low,             depending on climatic conditions between blooming period and             stone hardening.         -   Kernel.—Size. — The kernel size is considered small or             medium. Length. — Approximately 10.0 millimeters. Width. —             Approximately 8.0 millimeters. Thickness. — Approximately             6.0 millimeters. Form. — Considered elliptic and oblate,             sometimes double. Pellicle. — Pubescent. Color. — The kernel             skin is light orange yellow (RHS Greyed Orange 164 A or RHS             Greyed Orange N 167 A). The almond, which is the seed of the             kernel, is cream-white (RHS White 155 B) with a bitter             tasting. The kernel and its embryo are mature at the time of             fruit maturity.         -   Use.—The subject variety ‘CAKEDELICE is considered to be a             white flat nectarine tree with a mid-season maturity, and             which produces fruits that are considered firm, attractively             and luminously colored. Fruits have a semi-sweet taste and             are excellent for uncooked consumption, crunchy or melting             and juicy when at full maturity. Fruits have excellent             gustative qualities. In particular, ‘CAKEDELICE’ fruits are             very easy to eat, with their doughnut shape. Moreover, the             non pointed stone shape is reassuring, especially for             parents, and thus, there is no need to cut the fruit before             eating. Due to their flesh quality, firmness and density,             they can also be commercialized as 4^(th) range product             (packed fruit or fruit in bags for example). And they are             also useful for both local and very long distance shipping.         -   Keeping quality.—Remarkable. Fruits have a slow maturation             and a long shelf life both on the tree after growth             completion and after harvesting without alteration. After             growth completion fruits are preserved more than one week on             the tree. After harvest, fruits are well preserved more than             4 weeks at 2.0 degree Celsius.         -   Shipping quality.—Considered very good. The fruit of the new             white flat nectarine variety showed minimal bruising of the             flesh or skin damage after being subjected to normal             harvesting and packing procedures. Its resistance to             handling during harvest and packing and its long shelf life             without alteration after harvest easily permit at least 4             weeks-shipping at 2 degrees Celsius.         -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular             susceptibilities were noted. The present variety is not very             sensitive to powdery mildew, or conservation diseases and             decay due to its thick and strong skin.

Although the new variety of white flat nectarine tree possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France, it should be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural management are to be expected. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of white flat nectarine tree as illustrated and described, characterized by flat fruits of very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, and with a semi-sweet white flesh of high eating quality, with a slightly red pigmentation, and an attractive luminous and homogenous purple red skin on a red background. 